MISSION BBQ — Restaurant in Bel Air

Drove to Bel Air from Jarrettsville after calling in order. They did not tell me when to pickup, but rather asked me and I said 4:30 p.m. they said fine. It was 3:30. Arrived to a chaotic restaurant, lines out the door, no management presence to guide customers. Waited in line 15 minutes, got up to cashier, there is another line for people who called in orders. I got in the new line. They lost the order for the man in front of me in line, I waited til they got that sorted out, my turn---they lost my order also. The place is a madhouse. People, mostly employees running into one another. A place that looks like it has twice as many employees on shift that is necessary and still service is terrible. The pickup/carryout cashier and line is near the bathrooms so people are constantly pushing thru the line just to go from the bathroom back to their seats. Poor layout and poor planning. Not like the Perry Hall store at all. This location is not even half as big as Perry Hall---23 tables with 4 people per table --seating capacity at one time of 92 people. Figure many customers arrive as just a twosome, even less seating. Good luck getting a table. All food is off of steam tables, open kitchen forum--like Chipotle so at peak the food is hot and has not been there long, but what about non peak hours. This kitchen set-up similar to Chipotle has that chain being sued in multiple states for 200 cases of food borne illness. I know Bel Air is not large like Towson, but this place is so small--it is a joke. The carryout girl, obviously a trainee had a guy helping her and still out of 3 people in the carryout line they lost 2 of 3 orders when I was there--and could not even find them after looking for several minutes. Whoever designed system and flow of this unit...

I really enjoy the food here. The restaurant is the kind where you have to line up to place your order, and then wait a bit to get your food. But once you place your order it comes out fairly quick. There's not a lot of room inside for the line, so on long waits you may be outside for a bit, but there's covering so there's not a weather risk.

The prices were very agreeable. It feels like a rarity to go to a restaurant that will have a pre-wrapped brownie to purchase, and have it be less than $5, but here it was only $1.99 and huge. A sandwich, three sides, drink, and dessert, kept me under $20. The menu was a good size. Not too limited and not so much that you wonder "Who wants that?"

I've had a variety of their sandwiches, pulled pork, pulled chicken, turkey, brisket. I haven't been dissatisfied with any of them, they've all been really good and well-filled sandwiches. They give you a healthy amount on your sandwich, and the sides are good portions as well. The fries are delicious and crispy, good sea salt fries. The green beans are fairly standard, but, cooked in bacon, so delicious. The top side is absolutely the cheesy potatoes. I'd absolutely recommend that of everything. It was all warm and very good.

The decor might be a little much for some. Lots of military decor on the walls so your emotional reaction might range from depressed to neutral or enjoyable so I can't really judge. I was fine with it. It felt like, if Cracker Barrel can put a bunch of old time stuff on the walls, this place surely could decorate as it likes. They also gave out free sandwiches for veterans on Veteran's Day which was a...

Me and my daughter and grandchildren were out and about looking for a place to go different to eat to go somewhere where are money spent would be enjoyable and worth every dime so I walk in not sure how this place was and the smell was just so amazing omg it was beyond good they pulled pork smoked turkey brisket spare ribs chicken salmon mac and cheese baked beans with brisket green beans and bacon coleslaw salad everything is amazing and beyond so tasty and may I say and let me stay customer service goes above and beyond how they treat you when you walk in their doors they say hello how are you they actually hold a conversation they even have samples for you to taste so far I have been there three times my first two times I was unsure of what I wanted and what it would taste like the gentleman named Mike unfortunately I don't remember the gentleman I went and spoke to today to order there brisket pull pork I made a mistake and ordered the wrong thing this gentleman was so kind and understanding he gave me what I was wanting and turned around and gave me my mistake also they have done that twice with me not many businesses gives you anything especially when the food comes to $55 to $60 so if you want a good place to go you want your money's worth and you want a good environment I tell you go there they are amazing there are people are happy smiling and they let you know that they appreciate...